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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

Liberty Water Rio Rico

Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, or DEHP, is a softener added to PVC plastics. Phthalates are hormone disruptors that target the male reproductive system. Read More.

DEHP can cross the placenta and disrupt steroid hormone synthesis, and may lead to cancer. In laboratory animals, exposure to DEHP during pregnancy harms fetal developmental and causes abnormalities in the male reproductive tract. Human epidemiological studies show certain phthalates, especially DEHP, are associated with reduced anogenital distance in human male infants, which is a measure of adverse developmental effects in human male� infants exposed prenatally to endocrine disrupting chemicals. DEHP may also interfere with signaling related to the timing of birth and may have adverse effects on the immune system.

 

31

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014N/A00N/A
2015ND10ND
20160.233 ppb123ND - 1.30 ppb
2017ND30ND
2018ND30ND
2019ND120ND

ppb = parts per billion

State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines

EWG Health Guideline 3 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 3 ppb for di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate was defined by the Environmental Protection Agency as a one-in-a-million lifetime risk of cancer. Values greater than one-in-a-million cancer risk level can result in increased cancer cases above one in a million people.

EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) 6 ppb

The legal limit for di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, established in 1992, was based on analytical detection limits at the time that the standard was set.

ppb = parts per billion

All test results

Date Lab ID Result
2015-11-193362833ND
2016-05-1834539530.600 ppb
2016-05-183453947ND
2016-05-1834539410.900 ppb
2016-05-1834539351.30 ppb
2016-06-273479517ND
2016-06-273479511ND
2016-08-233530542ND
2016-08-233530536ND
2016-08-233530530ND
2016-08-233530524ND
2016-08-233530518ND
2016-08-233530512ND
2017-04-133674605ND
2017-04-133674607ND
2017-04-133674606ND
2018-05-153939427ND
2018-05-153939426ND
2018-05-153939425ND
2019-04-094257188ND
2019-04-094257182ND
2019-04-094257176ND
2019-04-094257170ND
2019-04-094257158ND
2019-05-014281333ND
2019-08-124386017ND
2019-08-124386061ND
2019-08-124386055ND
2019-08-124386049ND
2019-08-124386029ND
2019-08-124386023ND